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Neritic Zone
Estuary
Where rivers meet the sea - brackish, nutrient-rich, and vitally important as nurseries for 75% of commercial fish and shellfish species.
Depth: 0-30m Light: Sunlight Temp: 0-32
📖 Overview
Estuaries are the nurseries of the ocean. Nutrient-rich freshwater meets tidal saltwater in a highly productive brackish environment. Young salmon transition here between freshwater and marine phases. Blue crabs, oysters, and countless fish species spawn or grow up in estuaries. Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, San Francisco Bay, and the Ganges Delta are all iconic estuaries.
🌿 Ecology
Nursery habitat for 75% of US commercial fish and shellfish. Salt marsh grasses. Mangrove forests (tropical estuaries). Oyster reefs (historic).
⚠️ Threats
Freshwater diversion. Nutrient pollution (dead zones). Coastal development. Sea level rise.